Omega Speedmaster Cal.1155 Automatic Chronograph 18ct 2000

Omega Watches

Since the company was founded in 1848, Omega has pioneered a huge range of innovations. Britain’s Royal Flying Corps chose Omega watches in 1917 as official timekeepers for its pilots and again in 1940, RAF Pilots watches were supplied by Omega. The 1940s also saw the first tourbillon wristwatch and the first of the famous Seamaster watches, whilst the 1950s and ’60s introduced the legendary Constellation, Speedmaster, Seamaster 300 and Railmaster. Over these years, everyone from John F. Kennedy to Elvis wore Omega watches on official duties. What’s more, in 1962, astronaut Wally Schirra took his Omega Speedmaster into space on NASA’s Mercury Sigma 7 mission and in 1969 two Speedmasters landed on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Omega was a pioneer of the wrist chronograph, releasing its first model, the 18′ CHRO, in 1913 making this one of the very first wrist-worn chronographs ever produced. These were sold as military watches with some of the first going to Britain’s Royal Flying Corps and used by some of the most famous wartime pilots and military personnel. Omega recently re-issued a heritage edition of this chronograph which has generated considerable interest in all of its original early chronograph models.

In 1930, Omega and Tissot merged, with the aim of marketing high-quality Swiss watches. Omega would maintain its position in the medium-high luxury segment and Tissot would target the medium market. Subsequently, in 1932 the company bought Lemania, a Swiss company specialising in the manufacture of high-quality chronograph movements, founded in 1884.

The Calibre 33.3 movement followed, designated 13CH by its manufacturer Lemania. It is a column wheel movement, which was very advanced for the period and highly accurate and reliable. Later evolutions of this movement included the 33.3 CHRO T1, T2 – T6, becoming the Omega 170 in 1949, and the Omega 171. Such was the complexity and expense of this movement that only 13,700 were produced between 1933 to 1952.

A development of the 33.3, the 15TL two-pusher chronograph movement is notable as the most long-lived Lemania movement and the first with the Flyback function. This was adopted by military forces around the world from Czechoslovakia, Rhodesia, the British Royal Air Force, the French Air Force (Auricoste Type 20), the Swedish Air Force, the South African Air Force, the South African Air Force, the Royal Canadian Air Force etc.

In 1942 the Calibre 15TL movement was further improved to offer anti-shock and anti-magnetic properties. A new version for water-resistant chronographs spun off in 1949 before the end of production of the movement in 1952. In parallel, in 1949, after a number of modifications to these predecessor movements, the Lemania Cal.27 was born. This calibre is known under a far more famous name: The Omega Cal.321.

The Speedmaster

Introduced by Omega in 1957, the Speedmaster Sports chronograph first hit the market in 1958 with its Omega Calibre 321 movement which was continued for the first 11 years of production. This was also the calibre used in the Omega Speedmaster NASA Moonwatches, in all the Apollo missions and moonwalks. Many consider the Cal.321 to be one of the best, if not the best, chronograph movements ever produced. Such is the high regard for the Cal.321, Omega recently began to manufacture this movement once again to fit in its heritage edition Speedmasters.

The first Speedmaster with an automatic movement was introduced in 1971 and was a significant improvement for the line. The Caliber 1040 was a two-register chronograph movement, evolved, just like the 321 and 861 calibres,  from a joint venture between Omega and Lemania.

Introduced in 1991, the three register Omega Calibre 1155 seen here was the first high-beat chronograph. This automatic movement, beating at 28,800 beats per hour, introduced even higher standards of accuracy over the earlier calibres. The movement has an exceptional power reserve for a high beat movement, of 42 hours and the movement carries the extra complication of a quickset date function.

Description

Here we have a wonderful and rare example of an 18ct solid gold Omega Speedmaster, three register automatic chronograph with a quickset date function. This is a highly advanced high-beat Chronograph in an 18ct, 39mm case. Omega’s reference 175.0043 is very hard to find in an all solid gold case, especially in the condition you see here.

This watch has just completed a full inspection overhaul and service by ourselves and it is in pristine condition throughout.

The Dial

The beautiful, rare, yellow gold three register dial carries a date window, applied gold batons, and original ‘Index’ hands, all of which are in immaculate condition. The dial is the epitome of simplicity and elegance and is very easy to read and use. If you look carefully at the photographs you will see the three subsidiary dials are engine-turned providing a very attractive relief. This is very expensive to produce.

During the operation of the chronograph, the top register measures elapsed minutes up to 30 minutes while the bottom register measures elapsed hours, up to 12 and the left-hand register counts constant running seconds, independent of the chronograph function.

This is the original dial which remains unrestored and untouched.  It is in immaculate condition and as expected, the original quartz glass lens is clear and unscratched.

The Movement

As described above, the Omega Calibre 1155 seen here was Omega’s first high-beat chronograph. This automatic movement, beating at 28,800 beats per hour, introduced even higher standards of accuracy over the earlier calibres. This movement has an exceptional power reserve for a high-beat movement, of 42 hours. It carries the extra sophistication of a quickset date function and also has a mono-metallic balance and an Incabloc shock absorber.

A fast beat movement is one which uses a faster-than-ordinary oscillating balance wheel. Commonly, “high beat” is only used to describe movements oscillating at, or faster than 28,800 beats per hour. All else equal, the faster a watch operates, the more accurately it operates. For practical purposes, the fastest watch movements operate with one or two exceptions at 36,000 beats per hour. The main reasons that movements don’t tend to operate any faster is due to the power consumption and special lubrication requirements of such movements.

In keeping with modern convention, the top chronograph button is used to start and stop the operation of the chronograph while the bottom button is used to reset it to zero. As with all chronographs, it is not recommended to leave the chronograph function running unnecessarily when this is not in use. This is because it causes unnecessary wear of the chronograph movement, which runs separately to the normal time-keeping section of the movement.

The movement is in tip-top condition having been overhauled and serviced by our Omega specialist watchmaker. This means it has been completely disassembled to all its component parts, carefully inspected under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine Omega parts before careful reassembly and adjustment and calibration. The watch winds, sets and runs perfectly accurately and reliably and at the time of testing, immediately following its service, results were within +3 seconds per day. This is truly outstanding for any watch of this age and has been confirmed on our electronic watch timegrapher. The movement also has an excellent 42-hour power reserve when fully wound. We are more than confident in offering 12 months’ warranty with this watch movement*.

The movement is correctly signed ‘Omega Watch Co.’ ‘Swiss’, and carries the Calibre 1155, along with the serial number 58,871,436 which dates this watch to 2000.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

The Case

The heavy 18ct yellow gold Omega Swiss made-case is of exceedingly high quality with a beautifully robust profile and lugs. All the lines and edges are well defined, indicating the watch has been very well cared for and never overpolished. As can be seen, the Omega Speedmaster emblem on the case-back is clear and well defined which is a clear indication that this watch has been very lightly used. After close inspection, light hand-polishing to remove any tarnish has been all that was required to bring it back to the wonderful condition you see here.

The watch is complete with its original Omega signed crown. The case measures 39mm in diameter, excluding the crown and pushers. This is an Omega snap-back case and of a very robust design which makes this watch perfectly appropriate for everyday use, should you so wish.

Inside the case-back is signed ‘Omega Watch Co.’, ‘Fab Suisse’ and ‘Swiss Made’ with Swiss 18ct Hallmarks and the Omega reference numbers 175.0043 and 375.0043.

Please note – although specified as waterproof when new and all the seals have been replaced, water resistance has not been tested and is not guaranteed.

As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap & Buckle

The watch has been fitted with a high-quality brown calf leather sports strap with matching gold-plated Omega buckle. We think this contrasts very nicely with the gold case and the dial. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock, in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin, but can also obtain most types and colours of strap from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of 18mm straps if you wish, here.

The Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 2000.

Detailed particulars will be included with the receipt, along with our 12 months’ warranty*. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than totally authentic, or not as described, Vintage Gold Watches of London will offer you a full refund at any time”.

The original Omega presentation box shown in the photographs is included in the sale of this watch.

In Conclusion

A very rare and exceptional vintage gold Omega Speedmaster Sports chronograph watch in a rare 18ct gold case. The movement is of a very high grade and on a par with watches far more expensive than this. Omega watches are highly collectable and respected therefore icons, like the gold Speedmaster, are sure to climb in value.

A word about our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very best quality watches we can find before restoring these to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach inevitably means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are a number of well known stores in West London which are very successful, charging between two to three times the price you see here. We therefore consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you choose to pay by UK bank transfer, we will be pleased to pass on a 3% transaction saving to you. Please contact us to reserve the watch and request our bank details. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or International Bank Wire Transfer, we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges and if you have a watch or small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.

We will be happy to Service, Repair, or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

If you have any questions, please call our landline 020 7727 7095. If calling from overseas, please call +44 207 727 70.

We will be happy to answer any questions and offer advice about this or any of our watches listed for sale. If you would like some general advice regarding any aspect of vintage watches, including buying, selling, or collecting, we will also be very happy to hear from you. We await your call!

Finally, please enjoy some time spent viewing our other fine vintage gold watches.

Thank you.